Image quality of NX5U and similar HD cameras

[John Lenihan]

Eric,
Thanks for the comparison information.

Regarding the noise, I think you are right, we are never satisfied and camera manufacturers will continually try and improve their product.

I started out shooting on 8 mm silent film with 3 100 watt bulbs for indoor shooting.

John

John Lenihan

LeniCam Video Productions
https://www.lenicamvideoproductions.com

[John Lenihan]

Eric,

Have you tried the plug in called
Neat Video?

I just read about it on one of the forums and tried out the demo. It seems to do a nice job on the noise issue.

I am seriously considering buying it.

John

John Lenihan

LeniCam Video Productions
https://www.lenicamvideoproductions.com

[Eric Pensenstadler]

Thanks John. You’re right, let’s keep it in perspective too!!

I’m not sure if it’s “Neat Video”, but I recently came accross a plug-in for reducing noise too (you might even have been the one to share the info). Was the online demo footage of a highway and some trees in the background?

The demo online seemed good but I have not tried it. Perhaps it’s worth another look.

Thanks,
Eric

[John Lenihan]

Eric,
Yes that is the one.

John

John Lenihan

LeniCam Video Productions
https://www.lenicamvideoproductions.com

[Jeff Pulera]

Hi John,

I haven’t used the NX5U, but other Sony cams I work with have a GAIN LIMIT setting in the menu, so that if the Exposure is on AUTO, the GAIN won’t go past your preset, otherwise things can get ugly. With the old VX-2000, I was comfortable at +9, but with my Sony FX7 HDV camera, I’ve kept the preset limit at +6, but even that has proven too noisy.

The last set of dance recitals I shot on stage used NO GAIN and I got amazingly clean pictures with nice black blacks and everything is just so clear, and I can easily boost the middle in post if needed, keeping the blacks as they are. I’d much rather do some color correcting than have a lot of noise, since there is no going back once the picture is full of grain.

If shooting in dark areas and you need more light, consider switching to 30 shutter speed in a pinch, really helps! Can add some stuttering on panning or fast movement, but can save the day in dark churches/reception halls (shooting 1080i).

You may want to try an LED camera light as well, I’m finding this really helps versus the old standard lights with HD cameras.

Jeff Pulera
Safe Harbor Computers

[Eric Pensenstadler]

Hey Jeff, nice to hear from you.

All good advice. You’re right about the gain limit too, but personally I keep the camera in manual controls, but that’s a great tip.

I think earlier in this thread or in another somebody mentioned that with the NX5Us 0db is not really quite 0. He suggested that -3db is really more of the 0. I’m not 100% certain but something to keep in mind.

I’ve been keeping the gain in -3 or -6 and have been much much happier with the cameras.

You had another good point too about shooting in a lower gain and then boosting the mids or even highlights in post. There’s a lot to be said for taking that extra time in post rather than bumping up the gain.

30 shutter speed can also help a ton too, but ya, gotta be careful of the stuttering.

Thanks!
Eric

[Max Daniel]

I am new to the forum.Now I am confuse from this thread. Should I purchase NX5U or not?

[John Lenihan]

Max,
That is a question you have to decide on your own based on your needs and budget.
I have had two of nx5u cameras for a year, and I am earning a living off them shooting events.
I just bought two more because my business is expanding.
I bought these last two knowing the strengths and weaknesses of the cameras.
That is what we can help you with, is the strengths and weeknesses.
Strengths,
Great image in most light situations
Timecode sync for multicam shoots
tapeless storage of media
Dependable for blowing and going shooting
Weakness
Grainy in low light, but Eric points out no one is better
Sometimes the autofocus feature fixates on bricks behind the subject to focus on, so watch your viewfinder

John Lenihan

LeniCam Video Productions
https://www.lenicamvideoproductions.com

[Eric Pensenstadler]

I completely ditto what John said. I can’t say it any better.

For me, it’s all about realistic expectations. Ask John and a few others on this forum, immediately after purchasing my 2 NX5Us I was ready to throw them off a clif – but thanks to those in this forum I realized that not all of my problems were due to the camera, and, most importantly, I learned to work within the limitations of the camera.

Again ditto-ing what John said, I’ve performed extensive tests with the NX5U and about 3 or 4 other cameras and other than personal preference features, I don’t see any major advantage or disadvantage between them. The NX5Us are GREAT cameras IF you use them properly.

Hope that helps,
Eric

[John Crossman]

I record our church services with 2 Ex1rs and an NX5U. The EX1r has significantly better image quality. There is less noise in low light and better overall clarity. Even though the EX1r has a shorter zoom, the iris and zoom are completely independant allowing you to use a fully open iris at max zoom.

We record directly to a computer through a multicam switcher, so the larger EX1R files are not an issue. With SXS to SD interface cards and low cost class 10, 32 Gb SD cards, the EX1R file size really isn’t as big of an issue as it was 18 months ago.

If you are dissatisfied with NX5U image quality, I would highly recommend an EX1R. The less convenient worflow and higher cost/weight is more than made up for by the better image quality. If you have to operate remotely, however, the NX5U with a remote commander is the only way to go.